Gmail is not an email only tool, it is a complete productivity tool that has inbuilt search capability that enables you to find messages, attachments, and conversations in just a few seconds. Gmail over time caches the search history to enable one to repeat previous searches easily. Although that may be convenient, it may as well clutter your experience, cause privacy issues, or give irrelevant suggestions.
In case you are a privacy-conscience person, enjoy a clean search engine, or just do not want to see the results of old search-engine appearing, it is essential to know how to delete Gmail search history. With this article, you will be guided on all the information that you should know why clearing of any search history is important, how to do it on desktop and mobile in stages, how to solve the problems that come up, and the best practice in keeping your Gmail search history clean.
What was the reason to Clear Gmail Search History?
Users may wish to remove their Gmail search history because of several reasons:
Privacy Protection
When you share your device or account, clearing search history will guarantee that other people do not know what you searched.
Eliminate Suggestions that are Cluttered.
Through time, the list of the suggested searches is overrun with unwanted or old-fashioned keywords, so locating something you actually want is more difficult.
Boost Productivity
An uncluttered search engine will imply fewer distractions and faster results.
Security Considerations
Delicate searches (such as business terminology, client names, or personal data) are not necessarily what you would require in your data collection.
Fresh Start
Similar to deleting your browser history, there is the wiping of Gmail search history that assists in resetting as well as organizing your workspace.
Knowing Gmail Search History.
We should first know how Gmail manages the search history:
- The Gmail service does not include a search history in the traditional sense of the word as in the browsers. Rather, it saves your search history in Google account activity.
- This implies that Gmail search activity is connected to Google Web and App Activity preferences.
- You would have to clear a search activity on your Google account in case you want to clear Gmail search suggestions.
Therefore, when you enter in the search box of Gmail and you see you have old terms, it is actually your Google activity history and not necessarily Gmail.
Method 1: Delete Gmail Search History in Desktops.
In case you are on the Gmail platform on the computer, this is how you can erase the saved searches:
Sign in to Your Google Account.
- Go to myactivity.google.com.
- Ensure that you are logged in to your Google account that you use Gmail with.
Activate Activity Controls.
- On the menu on the left-hand side, select Data & Privacy.
- Web and App Activity under History settings.
Control History of Gmail Search.
- Click Web and App Activity Manage activity.
- Select Gmail activity using the search bar.
Delete Search History
- One can erase the searches individually or in groups. Options include:
- Delete today’s activity
- Erase custom range (i.e. past three months)
- Delete all time
- Verify your decision and Gmail search history will be erased.
Verify in Gmail
- Open Gmail and use a browser and attempt to type in the search box
- You will find fewer or no old search words will appear.
Method 2: Delete Gmail History on Android and iOS Mobile.
A great number of users use Gmail on their smartphones. Clearing the Gmail search history on the mobile is the following one:
Open the Gmail App
- Open the Gmail application on your phone.
- Click on your profile picture located in the upper right hand corner and choose the Manage your Google Account.
Data and Privacy Settings.
- Go to the Data privacy and privacy tab.
- Click on History settings and choose Web and App Activity.
Manage Activity
- Tap Manage activity.
- Filter or search manually: Gmail related activity.
Delete Activity
- Choose either Delete today, Delete custom range or Delete all time.
- Confirm the deletion.
You can now go and type whatever you want to search in the search bar of the Gmail app, and you will not find suggestions of your old searches.
Method 3: Discontinue Gmail Search History.
To prevent clearing search history each time you visit it, you can prevent Gmail from storing the search history in the first place.
How to Pause Search History
- Open Google Account.
- Select Data and privacy Web and App activity.
- Toggle Web & App Activity off.
This will ensure no one can save your Gmail search history so that no new search history would be generated.
Troubleshooting Issues
Even when the history search has been cleared, it happens that some of the old suggestions are still visible. Here’s why:
- Cached Data: Cache Clear out of your browser or Google Mail app.
- Several Accounts: You have to be clearancing the correct Google account history.
- Third-Party Apps Email programs such as outlook or apple mail can save searches independently.
- Sync Delay: It is possible that Google servers require some time to update completely among the devices.
The Best practices to manage Gmail search history.
Regular Cleanups
- Periodically (once a month or once every quarter) clean up your Gmail search history.
- Filter Searching rather than manual search.
- Add Gmail filters (e.g. of a particular sender) so as not to do the manual search repeatedly.
Clear App Cache
- Android: Settings Apps Gmail storage Clear Cache.
- On iOS: Clearing of the cache is achieved by reinstalling the Gmail app.
Utilization of Labels and Categories.
- Store emails under labels, such that you do not have to search so frequently.
- Time to enable Google Activity Auto-Delete.
Google provides the option of automatic deletion of Web and App Activity after 3, 18 or 36 months.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Gmail automatically delete the history of search?
No. search history in Gmail is stored on your Google account until you remove it by hand or auto-delete.
Will only Gmail search history be cleared and not the rest of Googles?
Yes. You can also filter the activity only in Google Activity that is related to Gmail.
Would I have to empty my mail folder in order to empty my Gmail search history?
No. Deleting search history does not impact on emails, it just removes the previous search terms.
Is it possible to make Gmail not save searches forever?
Yes. You may stop the Web and App Activity in your Google Account.
How come that after deletion old search suggestions are still present?
This normally occurs as a result of stashed information. The problem is often solved by clearing the browser/app cache.
Final Thoughts
How to clear Gmail search history then? The strategy is to not only control your Google Web and App activity but also not just Gmail. Removing/ pausing search history allows you to have control over your privacy, delete irrelevant suggestions and simplify your Gmail experience.
Desktop or mobile, it only requires a few clicks to clear your Gmail search history to make your inbox look less cluttered and private. Combine this with proper organizational behavior such as filters, labels and frequent clean ups and you will have a more effective Gmail workflow.
